Happiness -Vs- Joy

"Happy" is a feeling, an emotion that rises and falls based on the things of this world. We should therefore not seek happiness. Happiness is the worlds perverted view of joy. The joy that comes with knowing the Lord is not based on worldly things. Thus it does not end even when happiness wanes. You may cry though you are joyful. Because sorrow can come into your life and yet the joy remains. Joy can be compared to background music. Even when it seem like the noise of life drowns out the voice of God and the Joy that comes with him if you stop and listen they've both always been there. So, I conclude that life should not be based on the pursuit of happiness, but should be spent in the pursuit of God, through whom we receive joy and peace.

The First Fruits of Our Garden and The Honey Bees

This past week we "harvested" the "first fruits" of our garden and checked in on the "queen" bees.
We collected several straight necked squash, one grape tomato, and several handfuls of green beans. I am so excited that our garden is starting to pay off! There is still a lot of work left to be done from now until the "harvesting" is done. The grass must be kept at bay, water the troops, and squish (or drown as my mother prefers) the enemy bugs!
The honey bees have been very busy! They had almost filled up the first big "super" we gave them so we put together the second ones for them. I got to paint them white and then decorate. It was so much fun! I hope they like the artwork on all four sides of their new home expansion.

A slide show: The garden

My Occupation

I was inspired to write this paragraph when I was taking a quiz and got to this question (or one like it): "What is your current occupation?" And, of course, being myself, I had to offer some serious consideration before answering. I said student then, although I now understand that that is only half of our God-given résumé.

This is what I later felt compelled to write:

We all have two jobs; as a student and as a teacher. From the day we are born to the day we die, we continue to learn and to set some kind of example. It's our choice whether we remember our lessons or forget them, whether we set a good example or a bad one.

Summer Plans: Update

This weekend, my Mema is coming to spend Friday and Saturday with us. Friday we are going to try to go see the movie "UP", a 3D animated movie. Saturday, we will probably swim and just hangout.
One weekend this summer, I think we are going to Helen, Ga. That will be fun! We'll stay either in a tent or in a cabin or in a camper at a camp ground sort of place we where we have a membership. I would like to go tubing if we go.
Mom and I are planning on having a letterboxing day. For more information on letterboxing go to www.letterboxing.org. We're going to try to put together and hide a letterbox of our own sometime, too.
On a day-to-day basis, I'm going to be swimming, riding, reading, gardening, and blogging.
It's summer already and we've already used up so much of it! I continue to look forward to all the fun things I have planned!

Ebaying

I love to buy and sell things on Ebay and right now I'm sorting through, taking pictures of, and listing books to sell on Ebay for mom. I usually only sell horse stuff like the cowboy style rope halters I make.
If you're in the market for spiritual books, self help books, a book on ADD or a few Bible study books, just let me know and I'll direct you to the proper Ebay listings. I've listed books that range from Nancy Drew to How Now Shall We Live, Deliver Us From Evil to Give and Take, or any other random assortment of books that happened to wander into our possesion at one time and no longer serve their purposes of entertainment or guidance in our home . There are so many books and other items to sift through, photograph and list I may soon be "Driven to Distraction"!

Gardening on a Summer Saturday

Today I have spent some time in the garden tending to our plants. I am amazed at how fast the plants are growing! They speak so plainly of their Creator that I can't believe that anyone who has looked at, worked with, or studied plants can deny the fact that there is a great God who created all of this.
I was overjoyed to find several apple sized watermallons growing on their vines! And the straight necked squash are getting bigger every day! And the beans! I have been so fascinated at watching them climb up the trellis of string that we made! We will soon be so over run with tomatoes we won't know what to do with them! We have peppers of all kinds that are growing so quickly! And soon we will have between 200 and 400 ears of corn!
I can hardly wait for the fruits (and vegetables) of our labor to be ready!